Flooding Aftermath & Children's Health
A Resource for Families
Hurricanes, flooding, and other extreme weather events are becoming more common and more severe due to climate change. In the aftermath of these disasters, there are special considerations when caring for infants, children, and adolescents. Families are encouraged to read the guidance below to help prevent or reduce exposure to contaminants caused by flooding and/or to guide discussions with their pediatrician or regional Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Unit (PEHSU) staff.
To download this page as a fact sheet, click here.
To download this page as a fact sheet in Spanish, click here.
PEHSU Region 6 Flooding Videos (Part 1 & 2)
Additional Resources for Families
CDC/ATSDR
- Homeowner’s and Renter’s Guide to Mold Cleanup After Disasters
Step-by-step guide to getting rid of mold after a flood. - Mold Cleanup and Remediation
List of mold cleanup resources. - Carbon Monoxide Poisoning After a Disaster
Information and guidance on carbon monoxide poisoning.
EPA
- Mold Resources for Schools and Buildings
Resources for combating mold in large buildings. - Flood Cleanup and the Air in Your Home Booklet (also available in Spanish and Vietnamese)
Information of cleaning up after a flood. - Carbon Monoxide’s Impact on Indoor Air Quality (also available in Spanish)
Information on effects of carbon monoxide on air quality.
HealthyChildren.org
- Flash Flood Recovery Information for Families
What to do during and after a flood. - Choosing an Insect Repellent for Your Child
Guidance on choosing and applying a safe insect repellent. - Cleaners, Sanitizers, and Disinfectants
Information on safely cleaning using disinfectants and sanitizers.
PEHSU Resources
References
- Hubal, E. A. C., de Wet, T., Du Toit, L., Firestone, M. P., Ruchirawat, M., van Engelen, J., & Vickers, C. (2014). Identifying important life stages for monitoring and assessing risks from exposures to environmental contaminants: results of a World Health Organization review. Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology, 69(1), 113-124.
- Zirschky, J. (1996). Take-home toxin pathway. Journal of Environmental Engineering, 122(5), 430-436.
- Sattler, B., & Davis, A. D. B. (2008). Nurses' role in children's environmental health protection. Pediatric nursing, 34(4), 329.
The Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Units (PEHSUs) are supported by cooperative agreement FAIN: NU61TS000296 with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (CDC/ATSDR). The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) also provides support through Inter-Agency Agreement DW-75-95877701 with CDC/ATSDR. The American Academy of Pediatrics supports the PEHSUs as the National Program Office. The content on this website has not been formally disseminated by CDC/ATSDR or the EPA and should not be construed to represent any agency determination or policy. Use of trade names that may be mentioned is for identification only and does not imply endorsement by the CDC/ATSDR or EPA.
The information contained on this website should not be used as a substitute for the medical care and advice of your/your child’s primary care provider. There may be variations in treatment that your provider may recommend based on individual facts and circumstances.
Last updated August 23, 2021
Funder Disclaimer
The Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Units (PEHSU) are supported by cooperative agreement FAIN: NU61TS000356 with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (CDC/ATSDR). The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) also provides support through Inter-Agency Agreement 24TSS2400078 with CDC/ATSDR. The Public Health Institute supports the PEHSU as the National Program Office. The content on this website has not been formally disseminated by CDC/ATSDR or the EPA and should not be construed to represent any agency determination or policy. Use of trade names that may be mentioned is for identification only and does not imply endorsement by the CDC/ATSDR or EPA.
The information contained on this website should not be used as a substitute for the medical care and advice of your/your child’s primary care provider. There may be variations in treatment that your provider may recommend based on individual facts and circumstances.